New Delhi: A viral video from China has turned e-waste into digital gold, quite literally. A professional precious metals refiner, known online as Qiao (or Kiao), extracted 191 grams of pure gold — valued at approximately ₹26 lakh — from discarded SIM cards and telecom electronic chips, sparking a frenzy in online sales of scrap SIM cards.
Hailing from Huizhou in Guangdong province, Qiao specialises in refining precious metals from electronic waste. In the footage that garnered over 5 million views on Chinese social media, he demonstrates the intricate process: dumping stacks of used SIM cards into chemical barrels, subjecting them to corrosion, chemical displacement reactions, filtration, and high-temperature heating to isolate gold “mud” that eventually yields solid gold.
The gold comes from thin plating on key components of SIM cards and chips, designed for corrosion resistance and conductivity — though the quantity per card is minuscule. Qiao processed nearly two tonnes of such telecom industry scrap to achieve the haul, worth around 200,000 yuan (roughly US$29,000 or ₹26 lakh at current rates).
Dubbed the “Alchemist” by netizens, Qiao has cautioned against home experiments, stressing the process involves hazardous chemicals, poses serious safety risks, and requires professional training and environmental permits. He clarified it’s not feasible or legal for individuals, and his operation complies with regulations.
The clip has not only amazed viewers —prompting many to regret casually discarding old SIMs — but also triggered a surge in demand for used cards online, highlighting the untapped value in electronic waste recycling amid rising gold prices.